Seth Martin is among the new cohort of creatives beginning their future careers at SAE University College in Perth this trimester. For Seth, it’s been a long road from high school to becoming an SAE student.
Seth has autism and struggled in high school trying to learn in special educational classes that didn’t meet his needs, but when he discovered his passion for animation a whole world was unlocked.
“I felt pretty liberated, to be honest, because I’ve always had a pretty creative mind, I just never really had a good way to use it,” he said.
“Animation lets me be creative.”
Seth taught himself animation using an online animation tool Blender and was quickly making characters and sequences that were so creative and advanced, his parents and teachers couldn’t quite believe it. He uploaded his animation to YouTube.
Armed with a newfound confidence, Seth entered mainstream classes in year 12 and began to excel, taking out the dux award for graphic design after what he described as years of being underestimated.
After applying and completing an interview, Seth was accepted into the Animation course at SAE Perth.
SAE accepts students based on a wide variety of factors including portfolio work.
SAE Perth Campus manager Dean Pearson said SAE teachers also know that every student learns differently, and the colleges support all students with their education needs.
“Students needing support have access to an in-person student convenor who works as a mentor to advocate and guide students through challenges,” he said.
“If it’s needed, they can put students in touch with the various support services including learning advisors, student services advisors, careers advisors, counsellors or a support program.”
bright future
Seth’s mum Jackie said Seth’s acceptance into SAE where she felt he would be supported and accepted was emotional for her, after years of advocating for him during his schooling.
“When he got this opportunity, it was such a relief,” she said.
“Getting that place at SAE also helped his confidence so much. I am extremely proud to see him achieve this but also to be in a community with like-minded people as well, learning more about his animation and about a career and getting into the industry.”
Seth said the structure of SAE, with small class sizes and cross-discipline collaborative projects, is an great learning environment for him.
“Small class sizes will definitely work better for me, it’s safer and you can have that one-on-one experience,” he said.
“I don’t want just an impersonal lecturer to just stand up in front of a crowd of people, I need a teacher who I can get to know and ask personally for advice.”
Seth’s support worker Andy was a former teacher of his and helped Seth with the enrollment process. He agreed that students who need extra support or who are neurodiverse can be better supported at a college like SAE.
SAE General Manager Luke McMillan said supporting and celebrating talented students like Seth is at the heart of what SAE is about.
“At SAE, we pride ourselves on the diversity of our student body, and we provide all the support we can to ensure absolutely anyone can study, thrive and make with us,” he said.
“We’re so excited to see what Seth achieves in animation at SAE Perth.”
Interested in studying at SAE University College? Visit: Creative Media Courses – Earn Your Degree in Creative Media | SAE
